Assistance Dogs International
banner
adiintl.bsky.social
Assistance Dogs International
@adiintl.bsky.social
Assistance Dogs International (ADI) is a worldwide coalition of non-profit organisations that train and place Assistance Dogs.
www.assistancedogsinternational.org
For enquiries please use link: https://assistancedogsinternational.org/forms/contact-us//
Pinned
Are you looking for an #assistancedog? Make sure you know the difference between an assistance dog and other types of dog, where to look, what to look for and how and where to apply. You can find information on our website: assistancedogsinternational.org/main/looking...
We have a new Executive Director, David Locklin, who began his career over 25 years ago at @guidedogs and is now based in the USA. "I'm honored to join an organization that unites such dedicated, skilled, & passionate professionals" says David. We're honored to have you! Welcome!
October 7, 2025 at 5:03 PM
ADI welcomes our new Corporate Partner Dogvatar! Dogvatar uses an AI-powered trainer assistant "Simon" to improve outcomes, success rates, & welfare of working dogs & support trainers & puppy raisers with real-time personalized insights. See www.dogvatar.dog for more info!
September 9, 2025 at 2:43 PM
It's #internationaldogday! This is a great opportunity to say thank you to all the incredible dogs our members work so hard to train so that they can help people who need them. Our latest statistics show we have over 28,300 #assistancedog teams across the world. #lifechangers
August 26, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Want to know more about @adiintl and what we do? Listen to this great podcast with our ED Chris on www.petliferadio.com to find out how we started, created our standards, and grew to become the leading authority on #assistancedogs!
Working Like Dogs - Assistance Dogs International on Pet Life Radio
On this episode of Working Like Dogs on Pet Life Radio, Marcie and her loyal service dog, Fenway, sit down with Chris Diefenthaler, Executive Director of Assistance Dogs International (ADI).
www.petliferadio.com
August 14, 2025 at 10:31 AM
It's important to train #assistancedogs for many different scenarios. Thanks to www.catc.cz who worked with our member helppes.cz to train their dogs in aircraft and emergency situations.
August 13, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Continuing our celebration of places that really welcome #assistancedogs this #internationalassistancedogweek, here’s Sue and James from www.caninepartners.org.uk. Thank you to the chemist in Cockermouth - you know who you are! #IADW2025 #Paws4Access
August 8, 2025 at 3:02 PM
We’ve been thanking those that give a warm welcome to #assistancedogs this #InternationalAssistanceDogWeek. Here’s Sandy from abilitycenter.org telling us the difference a dog makes when it comes to access. #lifechangers
August 7, 2025 at 3:53 PM
We’re off to Canada for our next thank you for pawsitive access, with Tim and Gage, trained by www.autismdogservices.ca. Huge thanks to royalcitynursery.com in Guelph for the outstanding welcome they gave to Tim, Gage and family. Another example of Access Done Right! #InternationalAssistanceDogWeek
August 7, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Access is also important when training #assistancedogs. Venues like @tanglewoodma.bsky.social‬ go out of their way to welcome puppy raisers and trainers like Brenda with Marley from @neads-wcsd.bsky.social‬, allowing dogs to gain valuable experience. Thank you! #InternationalAssistanceDogWeek
August 6, 2025 at 3:16 PM
A warm welcome for an assistance dog at the most significant moments in life is vital. Here is Lowra from ADI member
www.os-mose.be
with a wonderful story of how her dog Gaia helped her at the birth of her first child. #InternationalAssistanceDogWeek #Paws4Access
August 6, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Kristen & @FreedomSvcDogs Boogie show what #AccessDoneRight looks like—and express gratitude to the restaurants that make them feel welcome. #IADW2025 #PawsForAccess #LifeChangers
August 5, 2025 at 3:07 PM
We know that travel, especially by air, can pose huge problems for assistance dog users. But some airlines and airports do get it right. Here’s Marek from www.helppes.cz with his dog Rey thanking those who enable him and Rey to travel around Europe. #InternationalAssistanceDogWeek
August 5, 2025 at 9:03 AM
When Christina had to go into hospital, her assistance dog Frigga went with her. Just another example of the difference pawsitive access makes. Frigga was trained by our member servicehunde.dk #IADW2025 #lifechangers
August 4, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Shopping malls can be great training places for #assistancedogs like Lily from www.candocanines.org. Here’s a shoutout to www.ridgedalecenter.com in Minnesota who are a great example of positive access for assistance dogs and their handlers. Thank you! #InternationalAssistanceDogWeek
August 4, 2025 at 9:02 AM
It’s #InternationalAssistanceDogWeek and we want to highlight those places that welcome #assistancedogs and share pawsitive access stories with you! First up it’s https://traffordcentre.co.uk/. Thank you for being so welcoming to Anne and Dave! @hearingdogs.org.uk
August 3, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Following on from our Blog about young trainers, we just had to share this from our member https://helppes.cz/. They have many young clients, including young children, and also involve the children of their employees and volunteers in dog training. Here's Stela showing how it's done!
July 31, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Check out our latest Blog which looks at how young people can play a valuable role helping train #assistancedogs. It's beneficial for assistance dogs in training, the junior trainers, and assistance dog organizations themselves.
Red more here: assistancedogsinternational.org/blog/2025/07...
July 29, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Transportation poses significant challenges for assistance dog handlers.56% of respondents globally experienced refusals in taxis or rideshares. Guide dog handlers reported even higher refusal rates at 63%. https://assistancedogsinternational.org/resources/paws-for-access-report/ #Paws4Access
July 25, 2025 at 9:02 AM
"Handlers frequently need to verify or justify their assistance dogs...people with invisible disabilities face additional pressure to justify the legitimacy of their assistance dog" Read our report: https://assistancedogsinternational.org/resources/paws-for-access-report/ #Paws4Access #AccessMatters
July 24, 2025 at 9:02 AM
"The emotional toll on assistance dog users is considerable, leading to feelings of exclusion, anxiety, & frustration. This is exacerbated by the need to continually advocate for their rights before receiving equal treatment"  https://assistancedogsinternational.org/resources/paws-for-access-report/
July 23, 2025 at 9:02 AM
65% of assistance dog users in our report faced skepticism due to the rising number of fake #assistancedogs? This adds to the emotional burden and frustration experienced by handlers. Read the full report here: https://assistancedogsinternational.org/resources/paws-for-access-report/
July 22, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Being denied access hurts more than plans. It hurts dignity. 1 in 2 assistance dog users face public access refusals. It’s time for global change. Read the report: https://assistancedogsinternational.org/resources/paws-for-access-report/ #Paws4Access #AccessMatters  @ADIintl @IGDFDogs
July 21, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Our #Paws4Access report (with www.igdf.org.uk/) highlights the global discrimination faced by assistance dog users.
We call on:
Governments to enforce legal protections
Businesses to educate staff
Communities to stand up for inclusion assistancedogsinternational.org/blog/2025/06...
June 30, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Embrace Pet Insurance is ADI’s newest Corporate Partner! Embrace Pet Insurance is offering a minimum 10% discount to ADI members organizations’ graduates, staff, and volunteers in the United States.
See website for details: www.embracepetinsurance.com.
Welcome and huge thanks!
June 11, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Our latest Blog looks at our affiliated partner courthousedogs.org: These dogs - all graduates from ADI accredited organizations - accompany individuals through the legal process, providing a calming influence. Read more here: assistancedogsinternational.org/blog/2025/05... #lifechangers
May 28, 2025 at 10:08 AM